Mayor reprimanded for 'cross border raid'

A town mayor has been given a reprimand by a neighbouring civic leader after she ventured onto his parish patch in her full regalia.

By Richard Savill

7:07PM GMT 07 Nov 2008

Lesley Dedman, the mayor of Ferndown, Dorset, incurred the wrath of Lt Cdr Ron Daw, mayor of West Parley and chairman of the Parish Council, when she was photographed attending a charity event in his area.

Mr Daw accused Mrs Dedman of a breach of protocol by not informing him of the visit.

Mrs Dedman had been invited to attend the event at a garden centre in West Parley in aid of a Royal Marine killed in Afghanistan.

A photograph of her in her traditional robes and chains later appeared on the front cover of the local parish magazine, prompting the dispute.

Mr Daw sent her a strongly-worded letter, accusing her of bad manners.

He said: "Convention is that if she wanted to come on my patch as mayor she would come on as my guest. She does not come on pretending she owns the parish.

"How would you feel if the King of Denmark suddenly turned up in your country wearing his crown and chains? You wouldn't like it at all. There are certain rules that apply to civic institutions."

Sue Starmer, clerk of the parish council, wrote the letter on behalf of Mr Daw to David Jackson, chief executive of Ferndown town council, informing him if the breach.

It said: "The front page of the Stour and Avon magazine shows a photograph of your mayor wearing her full regalia, apparently in West Parley.

"The regalia, and in particular, the chain of office, symbolise her civic authority, which you will know does not extend to the parish of West

Parley.

"To wear that regalia in a neighbouring parish without permission, or even notification, is an act of extreme discourtesy to the chairman of that parish.

"May I ask that you enlighten the mayor accordingly?"

Mrs Dedman was in West Parley to support the John Thornton Young Achievers

Foundation, a charity set up in memory of Mr Thornton, 22, from Ferndown, who was killed in Afghanistan in March.

Although Mrs Dedman has apologised for the "boo boo" she said she was upset

with Mr Daw's response.

She said: "To not give notification to Mr Daw about my visit was an oversight on my part and when I realised there was a mistake I said I was sorry.

"But I was very upset by Mr Daw's response and the fact he made it very public and broadcast his displeasure far and wide which is rather dispiriting."